Development Stalled In Merged Villages Of Pune Due to Delay In Draft Plan

Development in 11 villages merged into Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) jurisdiction seven years ago has hit a roadblock due to delays in drafting a development plan. These villages, including Lohegaon, Mundhwa, Undri, Ambegaon Khurd, Ambegaon Budruk, Uruli Devachi, and Phursungi, Dhayari, Shivane and Uttam Nagar were integrated with PMC in 2017, but plans for their growth have languished since.

Initially, PMC was tasked with drafting a development plan starting in 2018, but progress was halted, citing reasons like the Covid-19 pandemic. Recently, the responsibility was transferred to the state government, delaying further the formulation of the draft plan. Despite PMC’s requests for an extension, no concrete response has been received, causing frustration among local authorities.

Ravindra Binawade, Additional Municipal Commissioner, highlighted that PMC’s authority to approve new constructions in these villages has also been transferred to the state government. This shift has further impeded development as PMC’s local insights into planned amenity spaces are now sidelined.

Previously under the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), these villages were part of a broader regional development plan initiated in 2016. PMRDA had gathered essential data and conducted surveys, including existing land use evaluations.

Moreover, PMRDA proposed a town planning scheme for areas like Ambegaon Khurd and Phursungi, citing the planned construction of a 123-km ring road through these regions. The authority sought state permission to proceed with these schemes to streamline future development effort.

As the deadlock persists, local authorities continue to press for swift action from the state government to kickstart development initiatives essential for these growing urban areas.